NRL 2024: The 26 New Zealand schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system

A record number of schoolboys from elite New Zealand rugby union institutions are now entrenched in the Warriors junior development teams. See the full list.

Siale Pahulu runs the ball up in Harold Matts. Picture: Sean Teuma.

A record number of schoolboy rugby union players have now joined the New Zealand Warriors pathways system and CEO Cameron George believes the influx into rugby league will continue to grow.

The Warriors’ NRL pathways boasts 26 rugby union schoolboys players across Harold Matthews (under-17s), SG Ball (under-19s) and Jersey Flegg (under-21s).

The list of rugby schoolboy players signed to the Warriors is the largest in the club’s 30-year history.

It’s not only a sign of the Warriors’ expanding footprint in New Zealand but the club’s emergence as a genuine threat to rugby union pathways.

Of those 26 players, five were part of the Warriors inaugural under-17s side, which was crowned 2024 champion after beating Western Suburbs Magpies in the grand final.

Another 11 players in SG Ball and 10 players from the Jersey Flegg squad are graduates of some of the most prestigious rugby schools in New Zealand including Rotorua Boys High School, Hamilton Boys High School and Sacred Heart College.

The Warriors celebrate winning the Harold Matthews grand final. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

George is confident that number will only grow in the coming years and would be even higher today if not for tactics by rugby schools in New Zealand, which have been known to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors.

“We’ll continue to be an attractive option for all kids, rugby orientated or not,” George told this masthead.

“The fact of the matter is the only reason they are being stopped from expressing interest in our pathways is the school system blocking them.”

Last week, this masthead lifted the lid on those tactics after revealing a major sponsor of the rugby program at Hamilton Boys High School would consider pulling its funding amid concerns students were being allegedly pressured to walk away from the Warriors.

George said all rugby schools in New Zealand, which have historically wielded all the power at grassroots and junior levels, should be called out for attempting to deter youngsters from playing league.

Siale Pahulu is just one rugby union schoolboy that is a rising star of the Warriors system. Picture: Sean Teuma

“The amount of feedback I have received since the story is that it strikes to the heart of the dictatorial tactics against kids across New Zealand,” George said.

“They should be allowed to be kids.

“We’ll continue to explore ways to provide opportunities through our pathways, regardless of whether they stay with us. They are kids, let them play league, let them play rugby.”

The Warriors entered the Harold Matthews competition this year giving the NRL club full representation across all grades in the NSWRL.

George believes the success of the under-17-s side will only inspire more youngsters in New Zealand to choose league over union.

“The kids that won Harold Matthews are inspiring a new wave of rugby league players,” George said.

“All those kids will be talking to their mates about it and those mates will talk to other kids. “They don’t understand how much impact they have had now on a lot of 14 to 16 year old kids to come and play rugby league.

“They are now fantastic ambassadors for the Warriors and rugby league through all the school systems in New Zealand.”

Warriors general manager of recruitment, development and pathways Andrew McFadden said schoolboy rugby union players that joined the club would be fully supported through their transition from the 15-man game to rugby league.

“You have to allow time for them to understand the time, we have to be a bit more patient as they learn the rules but the skills are very similar,” McFadden said.

“A lot of the kids, particularly in that Harold Matthews age group will go back to school now and play rugby for their school, we encourage that, but we still train them.

“Some of the schools have great resources in terms of the gym but other kids don’t have it so we still offer that strength and conditioning side of their training.”

Like George, McFadden believes the list of schoolboy rugby players signed to the Warriors will only grow on the back of the club’s commitment to pathways in the country.

“I’d like to think it will (grow),” McFadden said.

“There will be kids that want to play in those competitions, especially Harold Matthews.

“It’s an elite competition. It’s the best kids in Australia and a challenging competition with all the travelling that comes with it. It prepares those kids that progress through the pathways really well.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: The 26 New Zealand schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system